Last week was scrambling because I had pushed a task to the back burner and I was up against a deadline. And that deadline was our industry awards.
Each year we take great pride in celebrating the best of the best when it comes to collegiate marketing efforts across the country.
Having served on the board of directors for our professional organization for the past four years, we take this awards process seriously. We are intentional about the work we want to recognize and the way in which we encourage submissions.
Even though I know the awards timeline, it sort of sneaks up on me every year.
And every year I wonder why I wait until the last minute to review the events and milestones from the previous year and pick out the best of the best to submit.
You might be wondering why I do it if I’m always rushed to get it done in the 11th hour.
I’m committed to doing it because celebrating our accomplishments is a big deal. We do a lot of great work that deserves recognition both within our department and within our industry.
With recognition among our peers comes the ability to see all of the other submissions and the work being done across our industry.
And if we don’t put ourselves in the running for these recognitions, who will?
If you own a business or are an employee working your way up the ladder, there are recognition opportunities out there for you. You are deserving of them.
In order to get many of these recognitions, you are going to have to apply.
You can’t win the race if you don’t enter. And that is how many of these awards and recognition opportunities work.
There is a call for submissions first. This means you will either need to apply yourself or have someone you know, complete a nomination on your behalf. Some may also include an entry fee.
None of these things should be barriers. If you are doing high quality work in your industry or your community, and you are looking for a way to increase your visibility, awards are a great way to do just that.
Let’s Get Visible
Not sure where to start? I recommend three categories to start your search. Within your industry, within your community, and also from your alma mater.
You might be surprised at the opportunities for recognition and also the cash awards available for both businesses and individuals.
1. Your Industry
Industry awards is a great place to start. I am a big advocate of professional development and part of that involves joining industry-related organizations.
In the marketing space, there are regional chapters of the American Marketing Association, the American Advertising Federation, and also our collegiate marketing organization available for membership. Each offers opportunities for awards on an annual basis.
Depending on the relevant industries for you or your business you can search them all to create a calendar of opportunities. Industry awards are a great way to earn recognition among your peers.
Just recently, our region held their advertising awards called the ADDYs. We work with a local advertising agency for our larger-scale campaigns. While it costs quite a bit of money to enter the ADDY awards, its important for our local agency to submit the work they do on our behalf.
Work on our campaigns in 2020 earned them 14 awards and gives them the opportunity to put their work up against some national giants in the advertising industry.
2. Your Community
Community awards often are available through a local chamber of commerce or community-based publication like a newspaper or magazine. One big advantage of these awards is that they often include some type of public vote component.
Even if you don’t ultimately win the award, being in the pool will bring increased brand awareness.
They aren’t always industry specific which opens up additional categories for businesses and individuals.
You don’t have to own a local business to be a leader in your community. Think about the organizations you support and where you give time and energy locally.
If you own a brick-and-mortar business, having one of these community awards in your storefront adds credibility to your brand. Customers like knowing they are getting the best of something.
3. Your Alma Mater
One of the ways colleges and universities engage their alumni is through sharing the stories of those who have taken their education and gone on to do something bigger and better.
Your story could be used to inspire the next round of engineers, lawyers, bakers, stylists, teachers, or entrepreneurs.
Reach out to some of your contacts on campus and learn more about the opportunities available to you. A great thing about leveraging your collegiate ties is that they might be industry specific but there are usually many opportunities based on other qualifiers like a 40 under 40 list or a women in technology.
Go Ahead and Brag On Yourself
Getting yourself in the running for these industry and community awards is a great way to further the awareness of who you are and what you do. Or who you serve and how you serve them.
Award submissions give you a great opportunity to review your accomplishments and celebrating the milestones that are important. Awards and the application process also make great social media content.
Even if you don’t win, the practice of putting yourself out there can bring positive results.
Do a little research and find a couple of awards or recognition opportunities for you or your business. Apply or make the ask for someone to nominate you because you are deserving.
You don’t have a chance to win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket and you can’t win a race if you don’t enter. Go ahead.
Brag on yourself a bit and see where it can take your brand and business.
Looking for more on this topic? Tune in to Episode 11 of the Motherhood Merged Podcast.
